Review of THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND

Bibliography:

Speare, Elizabeth George. 1987 (originally copyright 1958). The witch of blackbird pond. New York: Yearling. ISBN 0440495962

Review:

It is 1687 and as 16-year old orphaned Katherine “Kit” Taylor stands on the deck of the Dolphin preparing to start a new life in Connecticut, she is filled with excitement for the adventure which lies ahead of her. Kit soon discovers, however, that life with her aunt and uncle is a world away from the carefree childhood she spent in Barbados. Elizabeth George Speare wastes no time in painting a picture of the Puritan community that greets Kit with its “bleak line of shore” and centrally located “Meeting House, pillory, whipping post and stocks”. The author brings all aspects of the community to life by describing in detail the sparse rooms, the never-ending work, and the “plain and unlovely” Puritan church services as seen through the newcomer Kit’s eyes. Kit’s narratives are all the more revealing because she uses her past life in Barbados to contrast the dullness and strictness of this community. As a result, readers are able to understand the conflicting feelings Kit faces as she tries to conform to society while still being true to herself. In befriending Hannah Tupper, a Quaker outcast believed to be a witch, Kit is able to escape the oppressiveness of her situation, but the discovery of this friendship leads the townspeople to charge Kit with witchcraft. Readers may have a hard time understanding the strict Puritan society, but the universal theme of prejudice transcends time and allows readers to see the effect that prejudgment and prejudice can have on a person’s life. Speare’s ability to bring all aspects of 17th century Puritan society to life creates a novel that readers cannot put down until they discover what happens to Kit, Hannah, and the others. This is in part due to the author’s character development. Instead of creating flat, stereotypical characters, Speare has fully developed each one to reflect the spectrum of human nature from the angry and narrow-minded Good Wife Cruff to Mercy, Kit’s crippled, big-hearted cousin, who has learned to accept life as it is. In an ending that may be too perfect, Kit survives her witch trial; Mercy, Judith, and Kit find true love; and everyone lives happily ever after. While readers might question the chances of this actually occurring in the real world of the 17th century, they are willing to forgive Elizabeth George Speare her happy ending, because they have fallen in love with the characters and want what’s best for them as well.